Editorial: Stop Letting Your Kids Play Inappropriate Games

Some people shouldn’t be allowed to have kids.

Grand Theft Auto V was released this week and after only four short days in the wild, it’s already earned over $1 billion in sales. It’s an incredible achievement for any game and Rockstar should be proud of the amazing game that they’ve created. I’m loving every minute of it and it’s safe to say that it will earn many game of the year awards, and rightly so. The problem however is that a large percentage of the people buying the game aren’t actually old enough to walk into a store and buy it. So how exactly are they getting it? Their parents.

When I went to my local Gamestop to pick up my copy, I witnessed a prime example of what is wrong with the world these days: parents buying inappropriate games for their kids. The store wasn’t packed, but there was quite a few people in and around it, some old enough to buy the Rated M for Mature 17+ game, and some that weren’t old enough to even think about driving a car yet. The lady in front of me was there with her two boys, who looked to be around 10 and 14, give or take. When it was her turn in line, she asked for two copies of GTAV on the Xbox 360, and the Gamestop employee first asked if she was their mother and then asked if she was aware of the mature content in the game. The mother replied “yes, I’m aware, but what choice do I have?”, meaning her kids have more than likely been bugging her for the game with lines like “but all of my friends are getting it” and “it’s not as bad as it seems”, in their attempts to win her over and get her to buy them the game. The Gamestop employee then said “ok, as long as you’re aware” and proceeded to sell her the game.

That’s it? That’s all you needed to hear to sell this 17+ game to a lady that wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that she was going to let her kids play it? What’s the point of rating games 17+ if the retailers aren’t going to stop underage kids from buying them and their parents aren’t going to stop them from playing it. The stores need to stop selling Rated M games to parents who are buying for their kids and the parents need to stop buying the games for them. It’s that simple.

I have three kids, aged 2, 5 and 10, and I understand that it’s much harder these days to keep them away from things that their impressionable little eyes shouldn’t see. The internet is full of mean people who want to spread hate, YouTube is full of videos that kids shouldn’t watch, twitter and facebook have become playgrounds for bullies, but there is no good reason to let your kids play games like Grand Theft Auto V. I’ve let my kids play some Rated M games, such as Halo for example, but there is a massive difference between Halo and GTAV, even though they carry the same ESRB Rating. Halo doesn’t have strip clubs, hookers and drug dealers, Fuck isn’t every second word, and you can’t just walk into a store or restaurant and start firing your customized Assault Rifle and kill dozens of innocent people. Kids don’t need to see that stuff, especially young kids, such as this lady’s youngest son.

I understand that it’s not always going to be this easy for Gamestop to see who is going to end up playing the game, but when a parent comes into the store, with their kids, and makes zero effort to hide the fact that they are buying it for their underage kids, it doesn’t get any easier. Just simply don’t sell it to them, and it’s not just Gamestop, but any store that sells video games, movies, music or even comic books that aren’t appropriate for kids. For the parents, I also know that it isn’t always easy to know what is and what isn’t appropriate for your kids, but take five minutes in front of your computer and you can find out just what exactly you are letting your kids do. Google is your best friend and you can find out very quickly whether a specific game is ok for kids or not.

My oldest son always bugs us about playing Call of Duty, because all of his friends play it and their parents don’t seem to care. I understand that it sucks for him, since all of his friends talk about playing it, and some of them even have Call of Duty t-shirts, but I’m not going to be one of those parents that just lets them do whatever they want, just because their friends do it. I’ve asked his friends and the scary part is that most of them say their parents know what the game is like, yet don’t care that they play it. Even Halo and Call of Duty are different to me, since Halo is killing Aliens and Call of Duty is killing humans. We still limit the amount of Halo they play, but I don’t consider it nearly as bad as other Rated M games. This is also where having more Ratings would be good, so that games like Halo can be more appropriately rated compared to more violent games, but that’s a whole other story for another day.

Kids are out of control these days and the last thing they need to do is sit around and play games violent games like GTAV, all day long. I’m not saying that they are going to play a few hours of some Rated M game and then go on a killing spree in real life, because I don’t think games cause well-adjusted people to do that, but if young kids are allowed to play games like this for hours on end, it’s not going to help them grow into a productive member of society. They need to play sports, learn to play an instrument, build a fort in the woods with their friends, and read books. You know, be a normal kid. They don’t need to grow up in a world where they are allowed to steal cars, kill innocent people, rob stores, have sex with hookers, and kill police officers with no real consequence other than respawning at the nearest hospital.

Buy them games like Skylanders, Disney Infinity, Minecraft, or any other age appropriate game, and if they don’t like it, they can find something else to do with their time. They don’t have to play video games, there is a real world out there full of things to explore and learn. If video games are one of your hobbies, find a game that you can play together, such as one of the LEGO games (LEGO Batman 2 is awesome), or again, Minecraft, which is a great game to play as a family. I play it with my kids quite a bit and we always have a great time, even my oldest, who hates most “kid” games at this point.

The bottom line is that you have to pay attention to the games that your kids are playing and be more involved with their choices. Don’t just be lazy and let them do whatever they want, just because they’ll be mad at you if you don’t. You’re not one of their friends, you’re their protector and their teacher and they need your help so they don’t end up some piece of shit that the world has no use for. The rest of us will also appreciate it when the time comes for them to leave the nest and you release a good person into the world.

For the parents that are doing a good job with their kids and the video games that they play, I thank you.

Update: After reading through the comments that this article produced, I have to say that I’m both happy that it started a discussion that I feel we need to have, but also upset (with myself) at the way I may have come across. First off, I’m absolutely not trying to say that I’m a perfect parent, as I don’t think anyone is perfect, in any way. I’m also not trying to say that I think all parents are bad, lazy or not paying attention to their kids. I know that there are lots of great parents doing a great job of monitoring the games their kids play, and they should be commended for a job well done.

I’m also not trying to say that all kids that play violent and inappropriate games will instantly become bad kids, but I do think that being exposed to inappropriate/violent games, movies, tv shows, music, comic books, etc for long periods can have a negative effect on them. The point I was trying to make is that there are plenty of parents out there that don’t seem to care what their kids are doing these days and it’s not helping them grow into good people. If more parents paid attention to the games their kids are playing (or whatever else they do), talked to them about what they are playing vs real life and stopped them, when necessary, then everyone would be better off.

I may not have expressed my thoughts properly with the original story and hopefully this helps.

Your anecdotal evidence does not invalidate the point of this article.

The fact that you’re not murdered anyone (yet) is not proof of anything. Its not like you’re dying tomorrow or something. You have still a large chunk of life to live through. You can always attack someone (Verbally or physically) to the point that you’ll end up in the pokey. It doesn’t have to be a stranger who you attack. It can be your future wife, neighbor or a co-worker. There is still time for that. Lots of it.

Anyway, I think that if you’re really as healthy as you claim to be, then you’ll understand that the point of this article is very reasonable.

His point is this: kids should not be exposed to M rated games that contain graphic violence, misogynistic, homophobic views (cue all the squeakers calling people fags or hoes on CoD). The same way that they should not be exposed to porn, alcohol or anything that can potentially be damaging to them.

If you disagree with that point, then maybe all these M rated games did have a negative effect on you after all.

Phill A. Sheeo

Writer is taking alot of heat, and he’s right. Parents are the first line of defence. Plus, if you want to keep laying these games in the future, do the right thing and be responsible. That said, kids do not get enough credit, true.

However, since no one cares about Gangsta Rap and Mtv telling our kids how to live, when one goes and shoots up 30 people, GTA is blamed. Unfair, because the parents are the problem. Grow up.

Erik Aguayo

The author seems like a massive douche bag for telling other people how to raise their Kids and video game employes show to do their job! But he’s right to a certain degree. Once your a teenager you should be able to play any game you want, in my opinion. I know that sounds weird but I’ve been playing rated m video games since the 5th grade…and hey I came out fine. I’m going to college to become a cardiologist and have never had a problem with the police or even been in a fist fight. It’s not the violent video games.

That’s like saying Churchill was a douchebag, because he was telling Hitler how to run a nation – judgement can be a force for good, when the thing you’re judging is inherently corrupt.

Erik Aguayo

No that’s no like your Churchill example, Churchill ran a nation. This guy is trying to tell you how to run your personal life and YOUR children, that makes it offensive,at least to me. And he’s not suggesting an alternate parenting technique, he’s saying clearly that his way is the right way,the only way and it will solve problems. I don’t agree. I know for a fact he is wrong because I know tons of people that he described who are great people doing great things. So yes he COMES OFF as a douche bag in this article. To me at least

Erik Aguayo

And also, what makes him seems like a douche bag even more to me, is that he isn’t a child physiologist or a doctor or anything that would give him enough authority to say with absolute certainty that he is right. That’s just pretentious

Hobbs

You can’t parent other peoples children. That’s always been a problem, not just with games but with everything in life. There is no way in hell a child should be playing Grand Theft auto but it’s up to the parents to control that, not gamestop. Irresponsible parents are a problem in the world today, all you can do is control what you can control.

Big Mike

I bought myself and my twelve year daughter GTA V. I knew there was going to be lots of cussing but I made sure to play several hours ahead of her so that I know what’s coming. So far I’m 48% through it and came across two sex scenes. Now I was able to tell her to let me know when she got to these two areas so that I could play through them for her so that she’s not exposed to it.
We have a good time on GTA IV online and are anxiously awaiting for October 11th when GTA Online for V goes live. She’s a straight A student, actively involved in her junior high’s government program and loves sports. She knows the difference between reality and virtual reality.
Parents do need to play the games that they’re buying for their children just as they need to monitor their tweens/teens internet activity in general much better.
When I was a kid I remember buying Golgo 13 for the NES because of the “sex scene” which the room went black and you could see the two bodies embrace; that was then and this is now, GTA V.

FrankenPC .

The solution to the problem is obvious. Nothing else needs to be done with video game ratings. What needs to be done is humans need a license to have children. I’m not talking government sanctioned birth control, I’m talking a few community education classes for a certification. Among the lessons will be “how to frame entertainment violence so it stays in the fantasy world” or “how to judge if a child is emotionally mature enough to partake in the violent sub-cultures”. It’s not the game industries responsibility to determine of a child is ready for their content. It’s ALWAYS been the parents.

K1i1

I don’t blame Gamestop for selling the game to parents who are clearly buying it for the kids- if they refused sale on those grounds, the mother could easily have come back alone and bought it later. They aren’t allowed sell it to anyone under the age rating- that’s where they have to draw the line. If a Gamestop employee sells a 17+ game to a parent who gives it to their kids, they Gamestop employee isn’t failing at their job- the parent is.

disbe

I know various people who have degrees,
great jobs who have been playing games like this since a young age so are you
saying their parents failed them ???? I think people need to find something
more then a game to criticize children’s behavior are you a child psychiatrist
or Councillor ? Why are most of you all saying that anyone who plays this game
underage is going to fail and cause crime? I think you need to be educated why
people grow up and actually cause crime because it has nothing to do with playing
games !!!!!

thisnigga

Some people shouldn’t be allowed to have kids?! WTF, you evil bitch. It’s just a game.

K1i1

Username: thisnigga
First reaction- call the writer an evil bitch.

You’re doing a very good job of proving the writer’s point. This article was written by a guy by the way. Now go tell your parents you’ve had enough internet for today.

Frank

>Written by a guy
>a guy

I think you mean white guilt rape apologist. You can spot them a mile off and they’re the most pathetic fucking bunch you’ll ever see.

Da fuq?

What?

Van Chandler

+1

Josh

I remember I wasn’t aloud San Andreas and it made me feel really bad but know I’m old enough for GTA 5 I understand why the hell mum and dad didn’t want me playing it in Australia we have different ratings where most games are MA (restricted to people over 15) while recently the introduced R rates games (18 and over)

Josh

Also for the people who don’t know 18 is the age in Australia where you are classed as an adult (alcohol Is accessible at this age)

Mantis

Or, you could own up to being a parent and fucking talk to your kids and explain how everything in a game isn’t real and should never be replicated. Get off your ass and do some real parenting instead of hiding them from something they WILL see later on, especially with such easy access to the internet.

Mantis is a fucking asshole.

Hey guy, let’s buy our kids rape re-enactment porn, and tell them not to do this.

holy shit guy, i agree with mantis to a degree, plus there is no guarantee the will be exposed to rape, they will for fucking certain or already have been exposed to foul language and nudity and that is a 100% guarantee if they are over the age of 6 and have access to the internet. that said there is absolutely nothing in this game that the kid hasnt heard before or seen before. but to be honest there is one game i dont feel comfortable letting kids play hell i dont feel comfortable playing it and thats Manhunt, short of that i really dont see the problem..

Andrew Arnold

“The stores need to stop selling Rated M games to parents who are buying for their kids and the parents need to stop buying the games for them.” Surely you’re not serious? I understand that you don’t approve of that lady, nor do I, but you’re not actually suggesting that ‘there ought to be a law’?

Guest

Kids today are chickenshit

GrifterSix

Its not the stores place to pick and choose who to sell to. If the buyer is over 17 it makes no difference what they do with the game. This is not Gamestops’ issue or Rockstar’s issue. This is a parenting problem. If you as an adult provide your kids with alcohol, sexual material, cigarettes or other inappropriate content you could face criminal charges. On the subject of allowing a kid to play a video game or watch an R rated movie that’s up to parental discretion and so it should be. My Brother and I have been Playing games that were mature since we were young. Im 33, a dad, a medic and a contributing member of society. To date I haven’t shot up a public place or gone on a car stealing spree. Its not the worlds place to raise children, that is why they have parents. Censorship is Bu[[sh!t and not far behind it is limiting people’s ability to purchase a game when they meet all requirements. That is like going after bullets because guns are protected by the constitution. If your kids are at a level where you feel its ok for them to play whatever game cool, if not dont get it for them or whoop their behinds if they “acquire ” it . What you dont do is allow the kids to make that decision and allow them to be the parents. This is not an issue of video games , retailers or any form of control… Its a matter of the fact that we have become a lazy society that allows blame to fall on anyone else … This is solely a parenting issue.

Jim

Wrong. In the scenario, the store knowingly sells to a parent who’s specifically buying for minors. It’s not about picking and choosing, it’s about knowing right from wrong. The money mongers of the business just chose to not care as they sold to someone buying for a minor.
That would not fly if the parent admittedly was buying cigarettes or alcohol for their minor. Again, learn to deal with rules set in place. The relaxed approach is part of what causes problems.

TJ

This isn’t analogous to drugs and alcohol, it’s analogous to rated R movies. If a guardian/parent takes a kid under 17, that kid can get into the movie. Same as buying a video game. ESRB ratings are warnings, not prohibitions.

Hatorian

TJ is right. It’s a warning. The person or shop is not breaking any law

tython

@TJ Yet with a Rated R movie the parent is with the child for the whole movie and can explain stuff about it later on. With games parents just buy what their kids want and then pretty much just let the kid do what he/she wants with the game as long as the kid is happy they think nothing is wrong until they walk in on that one scene that makes them freak out. While I don’t exactly agree with the whole article(Particularly the title seriously could the writer have thought of something better) it does show that alot of parents are not really paying attention to what their kids are playing.

Andrew Arnold

This is not to insult you Jim, but I really feel bad for people that think the way you do. For some reason, there are people in the world who try to use reason with their emotions instead of their mind. I truly feel for them.

Jim

First point on here, about how they need to stop parents from buying these games when it’s obviously for their kids.
1. I have sadly watched parents not only hear their 10 year olds swearing, but one couple recently got sworn to as the little brat DEMANDED her parents’ buy her some rude shirt. There’s no rating structure on a shirt, but common sense should dictate the little brat should have got hit upside the head and told “No.”. Parents are failing worse than they ever has, and that was the first time I took offence indirectly. I wanted to punch the brat out.
The first point on here is correct. Stores wouldn’t (shouldn’t*) sell pornography to parents knowingly buying for minors. They cannot buy minors cigarettes. They cannot buy minors alcohol.
If video games have ratings and parents are making it obvious they are using themselves to go around those rules, they should be told to leave. And that’s not a bad thing, really. Sure, the parent will probably have their bitchy self centered kid complaining, but if the retailer takes the responsibility by saying “No.” in place of the Sh*tty parent, then the kid is out of luck and that’s that.

I’m ashamed of parents today. I’m ashamed because many are my age. I resent these parents. I resent taking away punishments for kids. I’m not advocating abuse. But a little spank on the butt, within reason, did me no harm at all. It let me know to stop what I was doing, and I would. Don’t BEAT kids. But God dammit. Don’t let them run amok and piss off everyone indirectly.

Brett

You are kidding right? You want gamestop’s to stop selling games to parents who are going to let their kids play it? Im 13 and I beat GTAV yesterday. Does this mean that tomorrow im going to go out and kill someone, steal their car and rob a bank. GTAV is one of the smartest games made along with Bioshock Infinite and the Last of Us. You wanna know why my mom got me the game because she raised me right and I can differentiate right from wrong. If anything the parents should be getting heat not for letting their kids play a violent game but for not raising their kids right. Now you can say that the kid who shot up the school played COD but his mom gave her child with mental disorders access to a gun. So instead of fueling the politicians waste of money on video game research..focus on the real problem pal.

It is precisely the fact that minors can still get their hands on M rated games that fuels the politicians. If parents stopped buying their children games that are meant for adults the politicians wouldn’t have any ammunition at all.

Andrew Arnold

That fact alone should tell the politicians to look for another scapegoat to blame the woes of society on.

Brett

If politicians werent blind and looking for an easy answer to man kinds drive for violence then they would have no ammunition. I wonder what games the witch hunters and Nazis played. Stop trying to take the easy way out.

Shane Walker

The games are restricted. Meaning stores aren’t allowed to knowing sell to minors. Just like cigarrettes, alcohol, guns or pornography. A parent cannot purchase most of those items for children, and they shouldn’t be able to purchase restricted games for children either. And I would bet money that you are not 13.

TJ

Games aren’t restricted from being used by kids. Quit lying.

Hatorian

Shane the rating is a warning. Not a law. You are wrong about the legality.

Shane Walker

I agree with both of you. It is not a law, but neither is not allowing a minor into an R rated movie alone. It’s merely an industry guideline that is followed by the participating members of that industry. The same could reasonably be expected of games, for exactly the same reason. So throwing alcohol and the like was disingenuous of me, I apologize. I was attempting to draw a parallel withing the retail industry.

Brett

You would lose that beat and how do you recommend they stop letting parents buy M rated games for children. If their child is in the store they cant sell them the game? Don’t let yourself be misinformed. Its bad parenting…not violent video games.

TJ

” Im 13 and I beat GTAV yesterday.”

Ha…you probably aren’t and no, you didn’t.

Brett

How are you going to tell me that im not 13 and didn’t beat the game 22 days ago

TJ

Like this:
Ha…you probably aren’t and no, you didn’t.

Phil MacDonald

Good Article and I agree. Having played some early fps shooter games in the 80′s and 90′s as a kid I can say I knew that I was always playing a game. The graphics were terrible but the games were fun. The realism in today’s games has gotten to a point of simulating a truly immersive virtual experience. If parents want to ignore the warnings of these games then hopefully they are have common sense and some parenting skills and realize they need to talk to their kids. Explain the difference between right and wrong and keep game playing time restricted. At the end of they day these kids are not the boss…you are. And the responsibility is yours as a parent and you should be held accountable.

daw

lol shut up

Soggynuts

I spent the last two days getting asked by co-workers if GTAV is okay to buy for their kid. I’d say “well, its a realistic world that depicts drug use, murder, theft, prostitution and soft core stripper porn.” And they reply to me with some version of “So, I probably shouldn’t get it for a 13yo, right?”

Mrteapot

Haha yep I saw alot of tweens with there moms at the midnight release of gta V
It’s ridiculous oh not to mention all the BRATS on xbox live cod game
Parents stop using xbox as a babysitter

Akira2020

Nuff said.

Hatorian

This is a perfect example of parents not parenting.

HaggardMess

I can’t vouch for the story being too violent yet, I’ve been in the strip club the last days getting lap dances, two at a time. I’ll keep you posted when i run out of money.

Stephen

“Buy them games like Skylanders, Disney Infinity, Minecraft, or any other
age appropriate game, and if they don’t like it, they can find
something else to do with their time.” – Like smoking, drinking, and getting pregnant I guess?

http://www.thecontrolleronline.com/ Peter Carpenter

You’re right, those are the only other options kids have. There’s nothing else out there for them.

Shane Walker

You can’t be that stupid.

Big Mike

When my daughters aren’t playing video games they’ll play dolls, read a book, make crafts, heck they even play outside too. Usually they’re the motivating factor to get my fat ass out of my comfy chair and take them for a bike ride or a walk to the corner store.

Stephen

“Halo is killing Aliens and Call of Duty is killing real people”. Last I checked people in a video game weren’t “real”

http://www.thecontrolleronline.com/ Peter Carpenter

Fixed to humans, for nitpicking purposes.

TJ

It’s not nitpicking purposes, dick. You purposefully used an exaggeration that someone called you out on.

Vile-Okami

Which is funny because your killing other Spartans in the multiplayer.

Cody Taylor

After caring for myself and my mother who had cancer at the time for over a year, I was given the privilege of buying whatever game I wanted when I was 10 years old. My mother said if I was mature enough to do that I could get a Mature game. My first M for Mature game was Dino Crisis on the PS1, and I kept getting Mature games.

Now 21, straight A student through high school and college, a member of PTK, Dean’s list every semester…I’m as nice and respectable as you can be despite playing some of the most violent and inappropriate games possible even at young ages.

The thought that kids shouldn’t play mature games is not a blanket statement, it all depends on who the child is and unfortunately the general consensus is that many today are snot-nosed brats who curse and troll. While there may be a higher percentage of kids who do that now than when I was their age, the fact remains that the thinking this author shows is wholly incorrect. There are plenty of underage children out there who play mature games and are not turned for the worse.

For example, at my launch party there was a kid about 11 years old who was nice and smiling to everyone, with a loving mother right behind him. He reminded me of myself at his age, as his mom seemed well aware of what the game was about and yet was all smiles anyways, happy to take her son to Gamestop at midnight on a school night to get a game he would enjoy and that she knew he could handle. Parents who let their children do whatever they want are horrible, but it’s almost as bad to keep such a tight rein on them as you do because you’re scared they’re not ready for mature material. My suggestion would be let your 10 year old at least try Call of Duty or GTA V and see how he reacts to it. Chances are if you’ve raised him right to begin with there won’t be a problem.

The Guy

Lol another idiot who thinks kids murder people because of GTA.

A randomdude

Okay so I guess it’s cool to let your 10 yr old watch a movie like battle royal oldboy or how about pulp fiction

Tim Green

that’s not what they’re saying.. if anything this is like the one game you wouldn’t want your 11 year old playing.

Bill

“Yes, but what choice do I have”? Are you freaking kidding me? The KID wears the pants in the family? PATHETIC!

potato man

*have it

potato man

im 12 and i have Its amazing!

Vile-Okami

Games like Okami and Super Mario Galaxy are amazing. GTA is a mediocre third person shooter that’s incredibly popular because it’s “mature”.

potato man

No, it is fun because the graphics are amazing, you can do a variety of things such as golf, tennis etc…
Also i haven’t heard of a child going out stealing cars and killing prostitutes because of gaming/GTA

Vile-Okami

From what I’ve seen the graphics aren’t all that great, not that graphics mean a thing anyways. It’s not always about crime. Games like these glorify the thug life, making it look like something to be desired when its not.

potato man

Ok, you try playing your games like super mario galaxy with atari graphics, it wouldnt be as fun, so graphics do matter

Vile-Okami

Must be why it’s the highest ranked game of all time, huh? Kids these days.

potato man

Your a belend xD

Vile-Okami

I’m not sure what that means, but okay.

potato man

Thats why you are a belend! Point proved, google it

Vile-Okami

Well it’s not a real word, so I’m guessing it’s some kind of slang. Also, the correct usage would be “You’re” you troglodyte…

potato man

Oh no! Please don’t call me a troglodyte! It’s the most offensive word I have ever heard I’m so ashamed, everyone uses that word these days. Anyway in the end GTA V is still an amazing game

akira2020

WRONG….there was an incident a couple of years ago where a 7 year old kid stole his grandmother’s car and started crashing into things “like Grand Theft Auto.”

potato man

Ok, im 12….. not seven, i never meant 7 year olds should play this /: and he didnt kill any prostitutes

potato man

and he also didnt smash his grandmothers head on the steering wheel and threw her out, or smashed the window and hotwired it, he probably just got the keys, put them in and drove off xD

Shane Walker

I might have agreed with you prior to GTAV, but I’ve never played a game so amazing and full of choice. The graphics are phenomenal and the gameplay is fantastic.

Maximus Prime

Did you even read the article?

John Doe

Relax man. I for one completely disagree with the notion of video games or television and movies as a negative impact on an individual. If a person, even at a young and impressionable age cannot differentiate between reality and fantasy, then they clearly may have been mentally incapable or unstable. When I was young, I watched Ninja Turtles and played violent games. I didn’t start beating people with kung-fu weapons or moves, and I also didn’t start becoming a vigilante murderer. I played the original Grand Theft Auto’s, Doom, Duke Nukem, Mortal Kombat, etc. and I am totally sane! SHOCKING! My parents still gave us defined rules and boundaries, but realized that a sane child can tell the difference between good and bad; right and wrong; real and fake.

As the author of a video game article like this, you probably played violent, inappropriate games when you were young as well, and even people who don’t play games can probably tell you about watching movies they wren’t supposed to watch either. Kids are going to find a way to play inappropriate games, just as they’ll find a way to watch movies. Everyone should know this. Preventing them and being overprotective probably won’t stop it. I don’t agree at all with this article. In fact, I don’t even have kids, but really who are you to be criticizing another person’s parenting choices or tactics. You might be the worse parent when it all comes down to it, but there should be more to determine bad parenting than whether or not the content of the media is appropriate for a certain age.

Get over it! Kids are going to do things you don’t want them to. I don’t believe in criticizing parents either. If you drank underage, smoked, did drugs, had sex, watched a bad movie, watched porn, were suspended, fired, got into fights, guess you were bad and your parents are to blame. On the other hand, for the most part (because I don’t believe you’ve checked every one of my list of infractions), you were probably a normal kid. Does it mean your parents did a bad job? No, not at all! But using your skewed perspective, your parents were horrible people, if you even did one of the things I mentioned. Get real man, and keep opinion pieces real. This just makes you seem like a douchebag parent, whose kid is going to rebel the first chance they get, not to mention, the kid who may be the most deranged of the lot. Keep you parenting pieces to yourself, or send them in to Planned Parenthood.

http://www.thecontrolleronline.com/ Peter Carpenter

The problem is that kids today are operating on a totally different level of being bad, and I think that having access to the level of violent games, movies, tv shows, etc, is contributing to their downfall. The games we had weren’t this detailed and definitely not as violent. Beating up some Foot Soldiers in TMNT is a little different than torturing someone or going on a shooting spree in GTAV.

If you think that kids have a good chance of becoming “deranged” because they aren’t allowed to play violent games or watch violent movies/tv, you should probably continue to not have any kids.

John Doe

First of all, I apologize if I was offensive, in my first post. I think it is good to have a logical and educated discussion.

Explain to me how much different children are today than they were before… I just completely disagree with the premise. Where are the supporting facts? Are you going to go on a right wing political stance and say that the recent millitary gunman who played video games, was influenced by said video games to do so? Could it not also be television, movies, literature, internet? There is no factual 100% evidence that video games lead to immoral behaviour. Jack Thompson had the same argument when Grand Theft Auto IV came out, and look at how that went.

Those are facts. Proven cases. ESRB labels are there as suggested viewership, but once it is available to the public, its up to the parents. Same as with movies and television. Some kids could watch The Simpsons, others weren’t allowed. Parenting choices, and I don’t remember seeing articles written about that.

And as for having children, I do intend to. But I just don’t need parenting from some internet persona who raises his kids in an overbearing method. I plan on having children in the future, and raising them to be socially, morally, and ethically sound INDIVIDUALS, capable of discerning right and wrong for themselves and making appropriate choices. If you have to sieve through everything your child does, and watch every little thing like Big Brother, then you might as well raise your children in a bubble.

Like I said before, leave parenting up to the parents. Everyone has a different method. Whose to say that your brand of parenting is any better than the mother who bought her kids GTA V? Those kids may be mature enough to handle the content, and that mother may be a muich better parent than you are. I’m positive that you have some questionable parenting practices of your own, and for that I don’t think you should raise an article critiquing parenting. Just how can you comment on this in an article? Is there factual proof and evidence that you are the ideal, superior bearer of children? That your stance is best? Things change, as has parenting through time. Adaptability is a wonderous thing.

I do believe in some forms of censorship just not overprotective parenting. You won’t be able to control them forever. And if you don’t understand my logic, you might be the one who should never have had children.

I have a younger sister who enjoyed playing GTA Vice City when she was really young. She is a fantastic kid! Intelligent, responsible, caring, empathetic, etc. The ideal member of society, with no adverse affects. And she played GTA… Riddle me that. With your logic, she’d be locked up in an insane asylum, and had the worst parents of all time, but then again, you’d be wrong.

I am not saying all kids can play, handle or understand GTA V. I actually believe that their are some kids who cannot discern difference, and those children’s parents probably are or should be aware of their child’s needs. I understand your concept, but just because some kids can’t handle the content, doesn’t mean that all kids can’t. You even say so yourself, ” I understand that it sucks for him, since all of his friends talk about playing it, and some of them even have Call of Duty t-shirts, but I’m not going to be one of those parents that just lets them do whatever they want, just because their friends do it”. I get your stance, but I can also agree with the other parents. It is up to the parents to judge after all, whether their own childs ability to process and comprehend content, and differentiate reality from fiction, good/bad, right/wrong, etc.

Shane Walker

I will explain the difference to you. Most kids today have no interest in anything that dosent come attached to a screen of sorts (smart phone, television, video games). I am 31, and I had a Nintendo and then a PS 1 and I loved them. But I was still active in the Boy Scouts, and played outside with friends, and learned skills like woodworking. The kids today, for whatever reason, are just different. It is a major problem, and anyone who can’t see that isn’t looking.

Scouser

The only parents who should stop buying M rated games for their kids should be the ones who buy them and then start complaining how violent they are.

Shane Walker

I disagree. I think the parents that buy them for their kids to be used as a babysitter are the worst. Those that feel like they don’t need to spend any time with their children, those that are happy letting a TV raise their kids because they are too lazy to be a parent. Kids need their parents, but kids rarely realize that till they are too old to do anything about it.

Gregor

What is the big difference between games nowadays and back then? Sure the graphics weren’t as detailed but honestly that didn’t changed the fact that I believed those games. They showed me a different reality and I bought it. It’s not like I said… naa that head doesn’t have enough polygones so it’s not real. I saw the avatar and thought yeah that’s me. in the game.. in a fantasy.

Access to violent games? Hell we had a lot of those… Way more violent than most of the games nowadays! Remember Soldier of Fortune or Postal?

If you really want to go down that road, will you deny your child the right to play with a stick and pretend it’s a gun? That’s pretty much the same to playing a video game were you pretend the gamepad ist your gun… The screen just shows what would’ve happened in your fantasy.

Deranged might be a bit far fetched, but if you consider group dynamics John Doe isn’t that far off.

In a hypothetical scenario… What happens If “your” (not yours of course, it’s just for easier reading) son isn’t allowed to play the games everyone of his friends plays and he soon finds himself on the outside? Alone? Will that make him a better person than playing the modern version of playing with a stick pretending it’s a gun? This can fuck a kid up pretty good, so I agree with John Doe here.

After all every parent should make their own decisions…

And If someone criticizes your article.. even if he’s on the complete opposite of your oppinion.. Why would you think you are allowed to answer with a comment like “you should probably continue to not have any kids.” That’s highly unprofessional and way off!

http://www.thecontrolleronline.com/ Peter Carpenter

You’re right, it was unprofessional and I have removed the comment and I apologize. Maybe he will be a great parent some day. Best of luck to him and his kids.

Gregor

Best of luck to you, too
And thanks for answering and actually caring for what people who read your articles think (rare these days).

Stephen

Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Duke Nukem 3d.. childhood was great and totally not violent at all.

King O’ Killer Cookies

You are so blinded, have you ever played the games? No, probably not. You are raising your kids in a household that they hate. If they want something, don’t tell them no because it’s too mature. Make a deal with them: If I get you GTA V, you can’t play Halo,or you have to clean the house all week. If they think something is bad, they will find out what’s bad about it.

heavenshitman1

I’ve never been an advocate for “video games causes violent behaviour” argument. But I do believe a game like GTA V will cause long term damage to the next generation (todays kids that is, not next gen consoles)
Im sure GTA V is a production marvel but if I were to review the game, I’d drop it a point or 2 based on its woeful encouragement of derranged behaviour.
A game based on that kind of violence and self destruction (via drug use) shows the devs have a lack of creativity or game design ideas

Shadowsong

Yeah, I’m gonna say you have no idea what you are talking about.

heavenshitman1

Granted I haven’t played GTA V, or a lot of the GTA series personally (I’ve never taken interest in the game, V is the first one to capture my attention).
I’d say there’s some truth in it, and I’d say under the radar the GTA series has already had an effect. The amount of glorification it gives to sex, drugs and violence is blatantly unnecessary to make a ‘fun’ game. And I know ppl, that have minds for drugs, and ppl with minds for just sex, and I can attest these are very sad ppl to know at times.
The kids growing up with this kind of software today are going to behave worse than they otherwise might have.
Not to single out GTA V, it’s all media and parenting that causes it. But GTA V is another sticking point in the whole scenario

oreo

Why would they behave worse than they otherwise might have? Violent video games and media have been around for a very long time, in countries all over the world. I haven’t ever looked into it, but I assume people are no more violent now than they were before these things became popular. Granted, I do think it can be foolish to allow children to delve into such things, but I can’t criticize much because my parents let me play violent games when I was young. They did not, however, allow my brother to play violent games until he was 16. Why? Because they didn’t feel he was mature enough. His friends that were every bit as (if not more) immature than him had parents that weren’t so attentive, and bought them whatever games they wanted. All that virtual violence did not stop them from becoming productive, law abiding citizens. Playing a suggestive game isn’t going to make any reasonable person with even a fraction of common sense, regardless of age, decide that the things they do in a game should be replicated in real-life.

Brett

If you played the game you would realize its a lot more then the media blew it up to be. Its a brilliantly constructed creative piece of art if you delve deep into the games themes but if you blindly call it mindless violence without playing it…yeah it might seem uncreative.

heavenshitman1

Well, so far for me, I’ve only seen it’s trailers and footage shots, and lo-and-behold, the only thing it shows almost exlusively is organized crime, violence and malice towards other crims and citizens. So yeah, you have to forgive the image the game gives the general media.
Even saw a vid review of the game, which directly sports footage of your characters at drug shops, smoking up bongs, and for the most part causing havoc.
Don’t want to sound like a boring 80 year old man, I’m actually a core 29 year old gamer. But with a sophisticated sandbox style engine they used in GTA V, there’s probably over a 100 game designs they could make for entertainment that doesn’t involve primarily of self-destructive and criminalistic behavior

tython

Going to have to agree with the others here, I have a personal policy of never judging any piece of media whether it be a book/movie/game until I have actually read/seen/played it, so I recommend you do the same.

heavenshitman1

As I just wrote in another reply to the above retorts, to some degree, I’ve actually seen a reasonable amount of the game (via a video review), followed the trailers etc..
That’s gotta count for something

tython

Granted but you are only getting a small piece of the puzzle so to speak by only watching those trailers. Some trailers only put the supposed exciting scenes in order to hook players for example take a look at this Final Fantasy 13 ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ABsJgxZH-Q this one in particular tells almost nothing about the game and only shows action sequences.

Also a lot of trailers usually don’t show everything such as story spoilers as the developers want to keep that secret and they usually only show gameplay which is usually only the action scenes as to excite players like it is a hollywood blockbuster movie. So my point still stands that if you are going to judge a game you should at least play it to some extent.